Introducing the Journal of Chemical Education’s Special Issue on Chemical Security

Abstract

Chemical security can be described as the practice of protecting chemicals from people. This editorial introduces the Special Issue on Chemical Security. Herein, we present a concise history of the use of chemicals as weapons and briefly describe consolidated global approaches needed to decrease the security risks from chemicals. We briefly introduce the contributions to this Special Issue from scientists and educators around the world on the topic of chemical security. Given recent high-profile global events that involved chemicals as weapons, improving chemical security awareness and competency is a critical need. We hope this Special Issue continues to generate conversation and collaboration on this important topic and enables educators to teach chemical security principles in their classrooms and laboratories.

With Anchors Aweigh, Synchronous Instruction Preferred by Naval Academy Instructors in Small Undergraduate Chemistry Classes

“…The academic curriculum is focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math): all studentsirrespective of majorcomplete 12 semesters of STEM core courses, including two semesters of introductory chemistry, with laboratory, that all first-year students must complete. Introductory chemistry at USNA contains an additional emphasis on relevant naval applications, including topics such as water desalination, corrosion prevention, explosives, nuclear reactors, and chemical weapons. − These are also topics of general interest as research on, and education in, chemical security continues to grow. − Common learning objectives and assessments guide the teaching of introductory chemistry, and although registration for the sequence exceeds 1,000 students, sections are limited to 20 students to allow for individualized instruction. Introductory chemistry is a very challenging requirement for the first-year students who, in addition to adjusting to the typical 17 to 18-credit academic load, need to adapt to balancing academics with military and physical training.…”

Identifying University Chemicals That Pose Security Risks: A Simple Qualitative Approach

“…Resources for controlling safety and security risks at most institutions are limited . Thus, it is important to systematically prioritize risks so that resources are used most effectively when improving or adding new controls.…”

“…Various laboratory-focused tools and methodologies for completing a safety risk assessment have been published, yet few similar resources to address chemical security exist . Several security risk-related research papers for chemical plants and the process industry are available, − but as the US Chemical Safety Board has noted, industrial guidelines and approaches do not always lend themselves to be directly applied to academic institutions .…”

“…Resources for controlling safety and security risks at most institutions are limited. 1 Thus, it is important to systematically prioritize risks so that resources are used most effectively when improving or adding new controls. In general, a risk assessment is a structured process that (1) identifies assets, hazards, threats, and controls for a laboratory and/or facility; (2) evaluates the likelihood and consequences of an unwanted event as well as vulnerabilities to such an event by assessing the effectiveness of existing controls designed to eliminate, prevent, reduce, or mitigate a hazardous or threatening scenario; and (3) identifies and prioritizes risk mitigations.…”